Badminton Racket Review: Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC

I've had difficulty using this racket at first. It was really stiff and heavy so I couldn't get any speed on it. It's also got the honor of being the first racket I've dropped onto to the floor. I was blocking a smash and off it came!

A few months and a little bit of skill upgrade later, I'm able to confidently handle the beast. And I must say it's become quite the weapon. Coming off a Karakal PU Super Grip, I've changed to using only an overgrip (one with ridges for some comfort). Having the thinner grip gave it even more power!

With the two sessions firmly in my memory, I decided to write a review for the second of the World Beating Performance rackets that I own.

This review is from my opinions of the racket and the game of badminton,. Take this with a pinch of salt. If you've got questions on this racket, feel free to ask.

Ok, now on to the review.

Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC
Dry Weight: 86-89g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 24lbs
Flex: Very Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs

I've used this racket only for singles play.

Defense
This racket is heavy, and you can really feel it when you have to concentrate on defending them smashes! I found myself hitting the frame on defense, to me a clear sign of not being able to move the racket head fast enough to intercept the flight of the shuttle.

What's even more drastic is the switching of defense from left to right. You're going to have to depend on your instinct for this one. The weight of the Armortec 900 can really slow reaction down a bit.

However, it's the same weight that gives your returns the solid push and feel that's required to turn defense into offense. Be it a soft block to the front or a hard drive the opposite direction of the court, the Armortec 900 Power delivers.

Attack
While we're on the topic of delivering, I might as well get to the point here.

The racket's got a "Power" to its name. That's got to stand for something. The stiffness of the racket, coupled with the heaviness of its frame, brings a very satisfying attack to your game.

Pushes to the sides of the court were sharp and flat, smashes down were powerful. What you might want to be careful for is a well-placed return. The weight of the Armortec 900 Power leaves you less time for recovery after a hard attack.

Control
I like it when a racket allows me more time to think about where to place the shot than worry about using enough strength to deliver the shot where I want it to. Low-effort rackets like this one makes a game so much more enjoyable.

The Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC offers the ease of power, leaving you in command of the flight of the shuttle. I wasn't in any situation where I found myself having to place thought into putting more power to deliver to the far side, and that is worth a mention.

Looks
This racket's modeled after a fearsome tiger, with stripes coming off the t-joint blending in with the powerful black and yellow head. At the two and ten o'clock positions of the head are the bright blue eyes of the predator, ready to pounce at a loose shuttle. The look's topped off by the white streams atop the racket allowing the word "Power" to be clearly visible.

What a sight.

Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC

Defense: 6

Attack: 9

Control: 8

Looks: 8

Badminton Racket Wishlist for 2012

I got a closer look one of these a few days back. Think I had a 4U version on hand, and it felt a little light. Reminds me of the Victors that I once had.

Price tag's very steep, so it'll be a long shot if any.

UPDATE: There's only a 3U version of this racket

Defensive Badminton Strategies: The Chisel

Welcome to another lesson in badminton strategies.

I've read some of the stuff on the internet, tried them out and added my little touch to it for your perusal. I've even added in names to make them easier to remember!

This is part four of the Badminton Strategies segment. It'll be 6 parts in all, sans the overview.

If you read the overview you'll understand that I term Defensive Strategies as a way to really drag the game on and make the opponent give you the points through unforced errors or sheer impatience. Not to say that this mode of playing isn't fun!

When you've got control of both your opponent's mind and physique, it gets really interesting. This time round we work something that, in my opinion, is the hardest of all the master - patience. I call this one The Chisel.

It's named such because constructing a rally in a game of badminton is kind of like a sculptor working on his masterpiece. You take one small, small hit from the marble and then you take another, and another, and another till you're left with one hell of a work of art.

One impatient strike is all it takes to crack that stone in half.

Remember the Triangle Principle? Now, use that, and then forget about winning the point. The whole aim of this strategy is to let your opponent expand as much energy as possible.

Use the long-drawn rallies to evaluate his playing style - is he hitting more towards your left or right? How fast are his drop shots? Does he like to smash left or right? How about taking risks? Will he compromise his balance to get a powerful smash in? Is he better at forehand or backhand defense?

It's a game patience where you probably have to give in as much as your opponent and see who ends up with the least stamina in the end. Truly a double-edged sword, but if you're confident that you've got better control and footwork than your opponent, go ahead and try this one.

Because no matter how fit your opponent is, something's gotta give. And trust me when I say the game goes to the thinking player.

Coming up next, we've got offensive strategies. They're the ones who tend to increase the pace of the game and create a sizable gap between the points.

I'll start with one of the classics from my favorite Men's Single's player, Peter Hoeg Gade - the Ground N Pound.

Stop

Fleeting are the moments we hold so dear - a touch, no more than a brush across the skin; a look, setting your gaze deep; a sound, sudden and sharp.

And we remember these instances, stringing them together and making collages that yield us faith, hope and shallow gratification.

But there they remain - deepest and true in our hearts. They fuel a passion, destructive. They rein a mission, oft elusive. They carve a chapter, unimaginably massive, into the annals of our existence.

And we welcome them wild dreams. For without a purpose, a life is but a forgotten tune.

Badminton Racket Review: Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH

This is my first serious racket, and it's taken me that long to have a good enough hold on it to write a review confidently. The first impression I had for this very technical racket was its weight. Took me awhile to get used to a 3U one (considering I started out with a 5U APACS), and I even thought it was head-heavy!

Now, a year down the road, my skills have improved substantially and I'm able to properly wield and use this racket to better effect.

This review is from my own opinions of the racket and the game of badminton. Take this with a pinch of salt. If you've got any questions on this racket, feel free to ask.

Ok, now on to the review.

Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH
Dry Weight: 86-89g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 24lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax @ 24lbs

I've used this racket only for singles play.

Defense
Being an even-balanced racket, the defense rating for the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH does not disappoint. However, it takes a little getting used to because of the smaller head, which sometimes mean a frame hit here and there.

This special characteristic of the racket allows for quicker swings and harder returns on defense, and that is always welcome.

Switching from side to side was easy, the same I'd expect from an even-balanced racket. Holding the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH, it feels a little longer than the other rackets I have, and that translats to easier reach for netshots. Just a hunch.

Attack
Advertised as the racket that produced the fastest recorded badminton smash in the world, the Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH takes its aerodynamic frame seriously. Cutting across the air with a very crisp sound, the racket gives its wielder very little air resistance when swung.

However, the lack of weight in the front makes the racket lose out to the Voltric 80 in terms of raw power. Comparing it with the ArcSaber 10 PG however, the Z-Slash TH seems to edge out a little bit.

But we don't all win games with smashes, don't we? I noticed that the hits coming off the Z-Slash TH takes advantage of its quick swing speed, delivering the drives and check smashes at a delectable pace.

Control
Here's where this racket shines. When you're able to get reasonably good hits off its small head, the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH offers a very acute level of control. There's not a lot of room for error, but you'll be glad you took the time to tame the beast that is the Z-Slash.

Looks
I've no complaints against most of Yonex's racket designs, and the Z-Slash TH is no different. Taking the official colors for Taufik Hidayat, red and black, the designers added a dash of white and gold for that motion blur effect when you swing the racket head.

Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH

Defense: 8

Attack: 8

Control: 9

Looks: 8

Badminton Racket Review: Bekia Twister X8

I have a thing for oversized-head rackets. They seem to offer a really good combination of offense and defense. that makes them the Jack-of-all-trades for badminton rackets.

I bought this lesser-known brand after I had the chance to give the racket a go at the recommendation of my regular seller.

Turns out the Taiwanese are good for rackets after all (I still hate them Victors)! Went back to the guy and bought it off with a change of grip.

This review is from my own opinions of the racket, and of the game of badminton. Take this with a pinch of salt. 

Ok, now on to the review.

Bekia Twister X8
Dry Weight: 87g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Medium
Strings: Toalson Fire 66 @ 26lbs

I've used this racket for both singles and doubles play.

Defense
True to all head-heavy rackets, the Bekia Twisted X8 responds a little slower when compared to a lighter 4U racket. It's saving grace is its larger head, which gives you more allowance when making that quick defensive return.

That big head of its also improves the quality of the returns by quite a bit. Hitting a drive off a smash was quite a possibility with the Twisted X8.

The shorter handle also makes for faster shot making, what with the player not needing to move his grip much to get that same quicker swing.

Attack
This is what made me buy the racket. Smashes come off this racket fast and furious, often to the extent of being addictive. I find my game gearing towards being fast-paced and destructive with the Twister X8, so I'm seriously considering placing it under my Doubles Racket label.

I've previously written my vote of approval for over-sized heads and short grip handles, and the Bekia Twister X8 has both! Full-on, check smashes, net taps... the works!

Control
Placement of the shuttle at various sides of the court were marginally good, though I had trouble making my backhand shots go straight down the line. The weight of the racket gives a nice boost to your clears and that little more speed when you need it to.

Touches were good, and the net shots proved to be satisfactory. Lifts from the net were reasonably far back, and backhand shots carried a nice distance.

Looks
Fierce; primarily back with red and gold accents. The red strings made it look even angrier. Not very characteristic of the kinds of color palette that I usually go for, but it's nice on the eyes at least.

Bekia Twister X8

Defense: 6

Attack: 9

Control: 7

Looks: 7

Badminton Shoes Review: Mizuno Wave Lightning 7

Ok, technically they're not badminton shoes. But volleyball and badminton are rather alike in foot movements, so I got myself a pair of these since they were on sale.

And don't they look good!

The thing that struck me first were how light they are compared to the Yonex SHB 101LTD that I have. Mizuno used a lot of mesh in the design of the Wave Lightning 7 and that reduced the weight of the shoe by a whole deal.

On air.

The second thing was how comfortable it was. Once securely tied around the foot, the cushioning in the Wave Lightning 7 was incredible! The shoe wrapped around the foot and gave in to you every twist and turn (that means it's hella flexible as well).

Last but not least, is the bounce that the shoe gives. The wave design on the heel and along the mid-sole basically gives a slot of support to cushion and absorb whatever impact you will incur during the game. Jumping becomes enjoyable, and couple that with the flexibility and light weight movement, the Mizuno Wave Lightning 7 makes for a good combination.

Unfortunately, this is not a badminton shoe. The Mizuno Wave Lightning 7, unlike the 101 LTD, does not come with the lateral claw technology that is incorporated into the Yonex shoe to stop sideways movement of the foot once the sole hits the ground.

Being made of mesh, the right outer-side of the Wave Lightning 7 gives a lot of stretch to my foot. Being the first time I used the shoe, it felt quite different from the Yonex counterpart and kept making me feel like I was going to sprain my right foot.

Having the wave technology in the heel also makes it a tad higher than conventional badminton shoes. The added height took a little getting used it. I don't think I will be able to switch between the two shoes that easily.

While the Mizuno Wave Lightning 7 offers the speed and comfort much needed in Yonex shoes, its reduced durability and increased height makes for a little getting used to.

More to come when I get a few more singles games in.

Badminton Equipment: The Racket

Pride before vanity, and vanity before skills.

In this aspect we see a lot of players seek out the best racket money can buy, hoping the spirit of world class players will course through the graphite and into their veins.

I'm in no position to touch on skills here, so I'll use this time to state the types of rackets there are and what type of players I think they're suitable for.

I've got an assortment of 15 rackets, ranging from weight to balance and flexibility of the shaft, so I'm making this call based on what I have. Those with more experience and equipment can feel free to add their five cents.

Things to consider when buying a racket

1. Looks
Let's admit it, if it ain't looking good, we won't want to use it anyway. Despite whatever people say about a good racket being more than the design, I doubt you'd want to use a ugly hell piece of graphite (unless you're a Li Ning user).

Choosing something that looks good on the eye does two things, (i) it gives you something to look at when you lose a point; and (ii) it makes winning all the better.

2. Price
Sure, everyone wants a Yonex or Li Ning (why?!), but not everyone can afford one! If you're just starting out and want something that's "tried and tested", I would implore you not to fall into the newbie trap of getting the most expensive racket out there just coz it's used by some pro.

Just like you don't learn driving with a sports car, you should consider placing your faith in a racket that's within a nice cost bracket. Once you get a hang of the sport and is able to determine what sort of game you're comfortable with, you'll be in a better position to know which of the models in the top brands suit you.

Trust me when I say that Yonex rackets can differ in feel between the models. That's what makes them so good, in my opinion. So choose wisely, when you can know what's what.

3. Weight
Here's where it gets a little complicated. Rackets are made to different specifications, and each will appeal to a different person. The best advise I can give you now is to find one that gives you a nice good feel - not too heavy, not too light.

Hold it loosely in your hands and have a swing. You should be able to control the racket just right. A racket is an extension of your reach and should feel right. Don't let the weight of the racket hold back the swing of your arm.

Going into the deep end 
(Warning: reading this section may increase your urge to buy new rackets)
So now that you've got yourself a decent starter racket, got a few good hours of court time, am able to hit a shuttle decently without mishits, and am starting to feel an itch to start playing a better game, it's time for you to consider getting yourself an equipment upgrade.

Think of this as a level-up. *bing*

There are a few things when we talk about a racket's specifications, (i) Grip Size (ii) Weight; (iii) Balance Point or BP; (iv) Shaft Flexibility; (v) Length; and (vi) Recommended String Tension.

I've ordered them in order of relevance to your playing experience (in my own opinion of course).

Grip Size
Remember what I said about the racket first being comfortable? You should be used to a certain grip by now, and I don't think there should be a compromise. Luckily most rackets come in varying grip sizes. I've gotten rackets that are one size too big, and they just don't play as well. I can't get the wrist around the large grip sizes and that affected my game.

One way to get around this is to use an over-grip instead of a replacement. That way it won't end up as large a grip size. But be prepared to change grip often.

Weight
U, 2U, 3U, 4U and so on. Each U means how many units of 5g below 100g; a 2U racket should weight more than 90g, a 3U more than 85g, and so on.

Typically, a heavier racket allows more weight transfer between your swings. Deep clears become easier and you'll also notice the control getting better when you use a heavier racket. Expect less vibration as well, but all these at the cost of speed.

Balance
Three kinds, (i) Head Heavy; (ii) Even; and (iii) Head Light. Same principle with weight transfer and speed apply. Factor in weight.

Consider the type of game you play when determining the suitable balance. Use head lights for a quicker counter attack game with fast exchanges, an even balance for net play and wrist check smashes, and head heavys for extra power in that full-on smash.

Flex
For what I've experienced, less flexible rackets are suitable for those who favor the wrist over the arm. Vice-versa.

Tension
Once you've got the above in order, you'll want to experiment with various strings and string tensions to see which one suits you best. Increase or decrease in units of 2lbs.

Higher tensions allow greater control, but you'll need to use more strength to get the shuttle anywhere. Lower tensions give a greater repulsion from the extended string bed, but since there's more extension, control might be affected.

Also, higher tensions give a nicer, more crisp, smashing sound.

And that's the gist of it. Let me know if you've got anything to supplement.

Zebra

There is a meek smile, paired with eyes
that shine like the midnight stars;
Her lips curl like flower petals
surrendering to the night;
Two arcs on her face carry
the burden of her sweetness;
And although she does not speak,
her song tames the wild beast
that had me locked, gaze and spirit,
on the black and white stripes she dons.

Fat Husky

Four paws on the hot hot tar,
Fat Husky under the mid-day sun;
Feels so warm he can't move on,
Fat Husky sure ain't havin' no fun.

His fur's so thick and the leash is tight,
Fat Husky he don't know why;
No more strength to put up a fight,
One more step, and Fat Husky dies.

New Badminton Shoe: Mizuno Wave Lightning 7

Light as hell.